Kano pays N1bn counterpart funding for basic education scheme

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state said that his administration had paid N1 billion as counterpart funding for the basic education scheme.

Ganduje told newsmen on Thursday in Kano, shortly after the inauguration of 2,000 classrooms in selected primary schools in the metropolis.

“We have paid N1 billion to the Federal Government as our counterpart funding for basic education,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the inauguration of the classrooms and the governor’s visit to some schools were parts of the week-long activities organised by the Ministry of Education to mark the state’s Basic Education Week.

According to him, the Federal Government will also contribute the same amount to the state for the implementation of the basic education scheme.

The governor also said the fund was meant to construct additional classrooms in all primary and Junior Secondary Schools, (JSS), provide furniture among other necessary facilities to enhance teaching and learning.

He said the state would soon launch its Education Trust Fund as part of measures to ensure effective community participation in the development of education.

“If you have a large population, you will have problem in education as government cannot do it alone. So, community participation in education is necessary.

“As you know, not many people are interested in investing in education. Sometimes, you become confused as to where you start, hence our decision to give priority to basic education.”

The governor said the state would also invite experts from the organised private sector and some Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to contribute their quota toward promoting education.

He said the state would continue to give priority to the welfare of teachers and ensure that only qualified ones were allowed in the system.

“We are not looking for everybody to teach. So, we will make sure that we sanitise the system by making sure that only qualified ones teach in our schools.’’

Ganduje said it was in line to improve the education system in the state that, the state government set up Education Promotion Committee in each local government to ensure quality education.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 2,000 classrooms were inaugurated during the governor’s visit to the selected primary schools in the metropolis.